I carry a big (280cm) double blade if I plan to cross a lake. I don't use it unless I need to. I was crossing Pemadumcook to White House Landing a couple of years ago and it was all glass until I hit Moose Island and a headwind picked up on me. With a single blade I would have been wind bound but with the double I was comfortable with paddling on, albeit slowly. Has happened to me on Attean too. It's kind of a pain to carry but it's worked out enough times that I like having the peace of mind. I prefer to kneel and heel with a paddle all other times. As always thanks for the video Lisa.
Another interesting video. I do take exception to you saying manufacturers started making smaller canoes. I don’t know anything about American canoe companies but if you look at Chestnut Canoe in New Brunswick , they made many small canoes starting at 10’ and up. Nova craft makes a clone of the Chestnut Trapper which is a 12’ canoe and is very poplar today . The trapper is a design that is over 100 years old. You’re correct that double bladed paddles aren’t canoe paddles , I believe they gained popularity from the Adirondack pack boats.
We like your attitude!!! We have a problem. If you look at our videos we do not making the J-stroke. It's so uncomfortable for the upper wrist. / Matti and Stina (have always also been guides in Northern Sweden)
Your insight on this topic is what motivated me to force myself to learn and commit to the j-stroke this year. This is after many years of paddling a canoe very inefficiently in an effort just to get to the fish. There is absolutely no other way to do it. I have seen the light!
"3 minutes with a Maine Guide, maybe a little more....." - grin - Just when I was finally going to tease you about that! Another excellent and thought provoking video, thanks for sharing!
I just discovered your channel last week and I really like your videos. There is so much value here. I feel you deserve so many more subscribers, or whatever it is you wish for! Cheers!
Thanks for your videos. Love the lessons your share. I have recently went from 4 canoes to 2. In the last year I have over 100 hours paddling in various 'solo' canoes. The 20+ years before that was all in Tripping tandem canoes. What I found is that if the beam is over 29 then I prefer to heal it with a single blade. If the beam is 29 or less I use both. Two blades always equal more water in the boat than a single. With years of shoulder injuries I found that carrying both a single and double works different muscles and provides change to prevent fatigue. Most of my paddling is flat water. I always start off into the wind.. Some days God plays the joke of giving me the headwind on the way back too! That's when the 2 blade really comes in handy. On a river with current, I prefer a single blade. Is one right, is one better? Not really. What matters is that we are out there enjoying life! Thanks again, love your channel!
I alway say, “canoeists on the water Q the wind”. Yes different muscles is the key to longevity. I wanted to break down the mechanics for younger canoeists. Ode to the poor old J stroke, taught wrong by so many for so long. The biggest key to an efficient single blade is NOT sitting in the middle of the seat. You have to sit the edge, use that gunnel like the great Bill Mason and keep the long face of that paddle pulling straight back towards you touching the boat. Otherwise you are sweeping not moving forward. I’m dealing with some carpel tunnel and flat out couldn’t to a double blade, I’d wreck my hands and wrists. Thanks for watching. 👍
Good morning Lisa👋🏻 I have been watching your 3 minutes for a bit now and really love hearing about the "old school" ways, as I am not that young 😆 I love that you brought up the double paddle today. Yes it is very popular right now. I REFUSE to do the kayak paddle. I paddle a canoe with a canoe paddle like it should be done, AND I now do it with one of those modern solo canoes😉 I would also add that I challenge anyone paddling a prospector with a kayak paddle to try to out maneuver me with my otter tail!! Keep up the great videos and stop in for a visit sometime✌️ Thanks. Marc
Marc, thanks for commenting. I singled out the double blade, for the younger canoeists. It’s only been the last 10 years that they were even an option with canoes. Not even an option for us, so we learned the skill of using a single blade. An efficient J stroke. Ode to the poor J stroke that has been taught wrong by so many for so long, but it was taught, now with the double blade (all strength and no skill) I just don’t want the good mechanics of a single blade to disappear.
For many years I resisted anything but a traditional single blade paddle in a solo canoe. Then I went to a bent shaft. Then I started using a double blade. My canoe is narrow and I still use a single blade in a tandem boat. I used both a double blade and bent shaft in my solo. Your style certainly works for you - we all have to find the techniques that work for each of us.
Thank you for the info Lisa. The canoe festival is coming up. When I looked at it on the web it seems it for children an women. Am I right or is it for any canoe enthusiast. Another great video an I like the leather on the paddle so it will not hit the side of your canoe .
Shawn, it’s for all canoeists everywhere. You won’t find a single event with more Maine Guides willing to volunteer their time for a single event. It’s a passion.
I have a 12ft pack style canoe I have used with a double blade paddle for years but, you make some good points and make a big canoe seem really appealing.
If you move the shaft of that single blade along the edge of the canoe and turn it as it travels, the effort is significantly less. I understand the appeal of the double blade, it was a marketing thing with canoes so people would buy the canoe instead of the kayak, but only in the last 10 years or so. I started out with a single blade canoeing, because no one ever heard of a double blade for a canoe. I’m just trying not to lose the technical skills of a single blade for young canoeists. Thanks for watching.
lol. I think it's funny how you're talking about how canoeists these days are trying to do the double blade like kayakers.... I'm in the opposite situation. I'm getting into whitewater kayaking (from flatwater kayaking) and I want to start with a c1 conversion kayak (I feel forced to, due to my inability to sit in a frog-legs kayaking position) which requires a single bladed paddle. I want so badly to just use a double blade because that's all I know, lol.. so I'm watching videos about one-bladed technique. Your video is eye-opening! I know canoeing is different from whitewater but I'm just trying to learn all I can about single blades. Thanks!
Thank you. If you’re solo canoeing you paddle should be a little longer ..from the ground to your forehead. Another thing that will help is to face the stroke. See how my hips are turned slightly on the seat facing the paddle. Good luck.
@@3_Minutes_With_a_Maine_Guide the c1 whitewater kayakers I spoke with say the paddle should come up between your collar bone and nose. They seem to usually be at the collar bone... so that's the length I got, 54 inches which comes up to my collar bone. I was worried about it being too long. When I watch the c1 kayakers, it looks like the shorter the better. But anywho I'm just going with what a bunch of c1 people told me at Nantahala Outdoors Center in North Carolina. It was weird, they just happened to have a bunch of slalom c1 kayakers there for some kidna tournament, so I was able to talk to them and get advice. I'm guessing canoeing with a single blade is much different than ww kayaking with one. Whelp I'm going to find out soon enough in my Zet Chili lol. Thanks for the vids!
Double bladed also drips more water in the boat. Ever hold a carbon fiber paddle? It is so light you almost feel like you have nothing in yours hands. But they are pricey and not as tough as a wooden paddle when abused. Thanks for the video.
I tried a double blade and my lap was soaking wet. Unless I keep it shallow and sweep every stroke the drip rings are useless. I'm also a whitewater kayaker and canoeist if it has a skirt I use a double blade. If it's open it's a single and I like it open. J stroke and C stroke with the bow draw are the key. Heeling it over on the rails has a grace to it you can't get with the double. Thanks for all you do Lisa!
Exactly. I clock in at 145 pounds, I ain't keeping up two eager paddlers in a tandem boat, but I have a blast trying. Then out comes the pole for those tricky bits of water and that is were it really shines, being solo in your own boat. See you at the symposium,
Unless you can sink the long face of that paddle in the water and pull it straight back towards you as the edge of your paddle is touching the boat, your doing a sweep stroke, not a forward stroke. You are using all your energy to correct a sweep stroke, one side then the other side using a double blade with a canoe…what a chore. Look at the surface of the water, you can see how fast I’m going. Thanks for watching and commenting. 🙏🏼
I carry a big (280cm) double blade if I plan to cross a lake. I don't use it unless I need to. I was crossing Pemadumcook to White House Landing a couple of years ago and it was all glass until I hit Moose Island and a headwind picked up on me. With a single blade I would have been wind bound but with the double I was comfortable with paddling on, albeit slowly. Has happened to me on Attean too. It's kind of a pain to carry but it's worked out enough times that I like having the peace of mind.
I prefer to kneel and heel with a paddle all other times. As always thanks for the video Lisa.
You are awesome. When I see your videos pop up it brings a smile to my face
Another interesting video. I do take exception to you saying manufacturers started making smaller canoes. I don’t know anything about American canoe companies but if you look at Chestnut Canoe in New Brunswick , they made many small canoes starting at 10’ and up. Nova craft makes a clone of the Chestnut Trapper which is a 12’ canoe and is very poplar today . The trapper is a design that is over 100 years old. You’re correct that double bladed paddles aren’t canoe paddles , I believe they gained popularity from the Adirondack pack boats.
Thanks for that info and perspective 😁
We like your attitude!!!
We have a problem. If you look at our videos we do not making the J-stroke. It's so uncomfortable for the upper wrist.
/ Matti and Stina (have always also been guides in Northern Sweden)
I never mind "the little more." Thank you again Lisa.
You are so welcome!
Your insight on this topic is what motivated me to force myself to learn and commit to the j-stroke this year. This is after many years of paddling a canoe very inefficiently in an effort just to get to the fish. There is absolutely no other way to do it. I have seen the light!
"3 minutes with a Maine Guide, maybe a little more....." - grin - Just when I was finally going to tease you about that! Another excellent and thought provoking video, thanks for sharing!
I just discovered your channel last week and I really like your videos. There is so much value here. I feel you deserve so many more subscribers, or whatever it is you wish for! Cheers!
Thanks for another excellent video! I am always amazed how people focus quickly on the “how” and “when” without asking the “why”.
Thanks for your videos. Love the lessons your share. I have recently went from 4 canoes to 2. In the last year I have over 100 hours paddling in various 'solo' canoes. The 20+ years before that was all in Tripping tandem canoes. What I found is that if the beam is over 29 then I prefer to heal it with a single blade. If the beam is 29 or less I use both. Two blades always equal more water in the boat than a single. With years of shoulder injuries I found that carrying both a single and double works different muscles and provides change to prevent fatigue. Most of my paddling is flat water. I always start off into the wind.. Some days God plays the joke of giving me the headwind on the way back too! That's when the 2 blade really comes in handy. On a river with current, I prefer a single blade. Is one right, is one better? Not really. What matters is that we are out there enjoying life! Thanks again, love your channel!
I alway say, “canoeists on the water Q the wind”. Yes different muscles is the key to longevity. I wanted to break down the mechanics for younger canoeists. Ode to the poor old J stroke, taught wrong by so many for so long. The biggest key to an efficient single blade is NOT sitting in the middle of the seat. You have to sit the edge, use that gunnel like the great Bill Mason and keep the long face of that paddle pulling straight back towards you touching the boat. Otherwise you are sweeping not moving forward. I’m dealing with some carpel tunnel and flat out couldn’t to a double blade, I’d wreck my hands and wrists. Thanks for watching. 👍
Why the leather wrap on paddle? Secrets to wrap a paddle if it's a real benefit? Thanks for the great channel!
Good morning Lisa👋🏻 I have been watching your 3 minutes for a bit now and really love hearing about the "old school" ways, as I am not that young 😆 I love that you brought up the double paddle today. Yes it is very popular right now. I REFUSE to do the kayak paddle. I paddle a canoe with a canoe paddle like it should be done, AND I now do it with one of those modern solo canoes😉 I would also add that I challenge anyone paddling a prospector with a kayak paddle to try to out maneuver me with my otter tail!!
Keep up the great videos and stop in for a visit sometime✌️
Thanks.
Marc
Marc, thanks for commenting. I singled out the double blade, for the younger canoeists. It’s only been the last 10 years that they were even an option with canoes. Not even an option for us, so we learned the skill of using a single blade. An efficient J stroke. Ode to the poor J stroke that has been taught wrong by so many for so long, but it was taught, now with the double blade (all strength and no skill) I just don’t want the good mechanics of a single blade to disappear.
For many years I resisted anything but a traditional single blade paddle in a solo canoe. Then I went to a bent shaft. Then I started using a double blade. My canoe is narrow and I still use a single blade in a tandem boat. I used both a double blade and bent shaft in my solo. Your style certainly works for you - we all have to find the techniques that work for each of us.
Thank you for the info Lisa. The canoe festival is coming up. When I looked at it on the web it seems it for children an women. Am I right or is it for any canoe enthusiast. Another great video an I like the leather on the paddle so it will not hit the side of your canoe .
Shawn, it’s for all canoeists everywhere. You won’t find a single event with more Maine Guides willing to volunteer their time for a single event. It’s a passion.
@@Mainepolingguide thank you Lisa I maybe there
I have a 12ft pack style canoe I have used with a double blade paddle for years but, you make some good points and make a big canoe seem really appealing.
If you move the shaft of that single blade along the edge of the canoe and turn it as it travels, the effort is significantly less. I understand the appeal of the double blade, it was a marketing thing with canoes so people would buy the canoe instead of the kayak, but only in the last 10 years or so. I started out with a single blade canoeing, because no one ever heard of a double blade for a canoe. I’m just trying not to lose the technical skills of a single blade for young canoeists. Thanks for watching.
lol. I think it's funny how you're talking about how canoeists these days are trying to do the double blade like kayakers.... I'm in the opposite situation. I'm getting into whitewater kayaking (from flatwater kayaking) and I want to start with a c1 conversion kayak (I feel forced to, due to my inability to sit in a frog-legs kayaking position) which requires a single bladed paddle. I want so badly to just use a double blade because that's all I know, lol.. so I'm watching videos about one-bladed technique. Your video is eye-opening! I know canoeing is different from whitewater but I'm just trying to learn all I can about single blades. Thanks!
Thank you. If you’re solo canoeing you paddle should be a little longer ..from the ground to your forehead. Another thing that will help is to face the stroke. See how my hips are turned slightly on the seat facing the paddle. Good luck.
@@3_Minutes_With_a_Maine_Guide the c1 whitewater kayakers I spoke with say the paddle should come up between your collar bone and nose. They seem to usually be at the collar bone... so that's the length I got, 54 inches which comes up to my collar bone. I was worried about it being too long. When I watch the c1 kayakers, it looks like the shorter the better. But anywho I'm just going with what a bunch of c1 people told me at Nantahala Outdoors Center in North Carolina. It was weird, they just happened to have a bunch of slalom c1 kayakers there for some kidna tournament, so I was able to talk to them and get advice. I'm guessing canoeing with a single blade is much different than ww kayaking with one. Whelp I'm going to find out soon enough in my Zet Chili lol. Thanks for the vids!
Double bladed also drips more water in the boat. Ever hold a carbon fiber paddle? It is so light you almost feel like you have nothing in yours hands. But they are pricey and not as tough as a wooden paddle when abused. Thanks for the video.
I tried a double blade and my lap was soaking wet. Unless I keep it shallow and sweep every stroke the drip rings are useless. I'm also a whitewater kayaker and canoeist if it has a skirt I use a double blade. If it's open it's a single and I like it open. J stroke and C stroke with the bow draw are the key. Heeling it over on the rails has a grace to it you can't get with the double. Thanks for all you do Lisa!
Exactly. I clock in at 145 pounds, I ain't keeping up two eager paddlers in a tandem boat, but I have a blast trying. Then out comes the pole for those tricky bits of water and that is were it really shines, being solo in your own boat. See you at the symposium,
Oh, that pole is the secret weapon…as soon as you can touch bottom, there’s no contest. See you at the symposium 👍
New sub ! Liked 👍❤️🙏
thanks sister, k
Amen... One god, one country, one blade!
Everyone I see canoeing with a kayak paddle seems to be really fighting it, and getting all their stuff soaked in the process.
Unless you can sink the long face of that paddle in the water and pull it straight back towards you as the edge of your paddle is touching the boat, your doing a sweep stroke, not a forward stroke. You are using all your energy to correct a sweep stroke, one side then the other side using a double blade with a canoe…what a chore. Look at the surface of the water, you can see how fast I’m going. Thanks for watching and commenting. 🙏🏼